Celts pick up another vital away point in the Champions League | OneFootball

UEFA Champions LeagueMatchday SixStadion Maksimir, Zagreb, CroatiaTuesday, December 10, 2024

DINAMO ZAGREB… 0

CELTIC… 0

Celtic secured another vital away point in the UEFA Champions League to remain firmly in contention for a last 16 play-off spot, drawing 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

And for the second consecutive away European match, the Hoops delivered a clean sheet, having also recorded a goal-less draw in italy against Atalanta.

Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes but weren’t able to carve out too many clear-cut chances in front of goal.

In the first-half Paulo Bernardo came closest to finding the back of the net in the 16th minute after the Hoops were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the Dinamo box, but his effort went just over the bar.

For the Croatian side, who hadn’t won at home since late September, their first real chance of note didn't come until the last minute of the first-half when Dario Spikic’s cross was turned wide by Sandro Kulenovic.

Brendan Rodgers made one change at half-time, bringing on Anthony Ralston at right back for Alistair Johnston who had picked up an injury following a challenge by Marko Rog towards the end of the first-half

And it was Nicolas Kuhn came close to giving Celtic the lead just moments into the second half. After cutting inside from the right, the winger's shot looked to be heading goalward before it was deflected over the bar by Maxime Bernauer

The home side then carved out two shots at goal in close proximity. The first was deflected wide by Auston Trusty, while the second effort by Baturina was saved by Kasper Schmeichel

With 25 minutes remaining. Luke McCowan and Arne Engels replaced Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo, and it was McCowan who came close to scoring just three minutes later when his low drive from outside the box was well-saved by Zagorac in the Dinamo goal.

With 10 minutes remaining, Schmeichel was called on to tip Marko Pjaca’s header over the bar. It was yet another important save by the Danish goalkeeper in a match where he had been largely untested.

James Forrest, who had replaced Daizen Maeda, then threaded a superb pass through the inside left channel to Engels, who cut it across goal, and it took a piece of brilliant defending to block the ball from reaching Adam Idah, who would have been able to tap the ball home from close-range.

In the end, neither side was able to break the deadlock and Celtic can now look forward to their next UEFA Champions League match – a home game against Swiss side, Young Boys of Bern, in January – and the chance to deliver three vital points.